John Márquez

John E. Márquez is an American Democratic politician and activist who has held various positions in Richmond, California city government over a span twenty-three years in addition to further years of service before and after in the West County Area. This includes eighteen years as a city councilman and a stint as vice mayor. He was the first Latino to serve on the Richmond City Council. Originally he was an appointee to the council in 1985 and won an election to that seat in 1987, he subsequently lost his second bid in 1991. However he was elected again in 1993 and twice more in 1997 and 2004. In 1990 and 1998 he also served as vice mayor. Márquez was defeated for re-election in 2008, and also lost a mayoral bid in 2001 to Green Gayle McLaughlin. In addition to his elected offices in the city of Richmond, he has held various other positions in Contra Costa County, California on various commissions including college trustee.

Formative years and education

He was born in Taos, New Mexico and later attended Bishop Union High School when his family moved to Bishop, California. He has served in the United States Army as an MP and was sent to Lebanon during the conflict there, and was awarded the American Expeditionary Service Medal. He retired as a labor standards investigator.